HARIYANA

India’s breathtakingly vast food culture doesn’t go unnoticed. The flavors differ from place to place, region to region, state to state, but no matter where you are, from north to south, your food experience will be one of a kind. And rightly so, Gurgaon, or Gurugram, is a fast-growing city in the northern state of Haryana, located not far from Delhi. Also known as the ‘Millenium City of India’, Gurgaon is abundant with shopping malls, tech companies, and hotels, but the city’s street food scene is impeccable.

Chole bhature (chickpeas with maida-flour bread)

Certainly among the tastiest street food you can find in the countless street-side joints in Gurgaon, chole bhature is a popular snack made of spicy chickpeas and fried maida bread. It is normally consumed for breakfast, but since it’s also street food, it can as well be enjoyed as a midday snack, complete lunch or your evening fix. It can be well paired with pickles, chutney, or onions, while the best way to wash it down is a cool lassi (a yogurt-based drink). Food lovers, don’t miss it!

Pav bhaji (vegetable curry with soft bread)

Although originating from the state of Maharashtra, this fast-food dish is well-favored in Gurgaon as well, and you will find it in numerous spots across the city. Its basic ingredients are a thick mix of vegetable curry that comes with some soft bread rolls. A must-eat dish, this super delicious snack is found in restaurants and food stalls too, and can be also topped with butter for extra flavor, freshly chopped onions, and lemon juice for a more sour taste. Trust us, you will end up asking for more.

Pakora (fritter-like snack)

Pakora is one of the most famous Indian snacks that are found across the whole Indian subcontinent but are also appreciated in Indian restaurants around the globe. As such, they can’t possibly escape the Gurgaon street food scene. The main ingredients of a pakora differ widely and might be one or two vegetables, like spinach, onion, or potato, which are dipped into a batter made from gram flour (including also green chilies, onions, and spices), and then deep-fried. They are quite crispy on the outside, and less inside, but yummy as hell.

Dosa (flat rice batter)

Holding its origins from South India, dosa is a popular snack all around India, made from rice and black gram, which is ground together in a fermented batter. It is then shaped like a thin layered batter that resembles the shape of a crepe. Dosa is usually served hot with chutney (spicy sauce) and sambar (tangy lentil and vegetable stew), and it’s ideal if you want to grab a quick, yet hearty meal. Among the most popular types of dosa is the tasty masala dosa, filled with potato masala and onion, although other ingredients, like coconut, cheese, or spinach are also used.

Kathi rolls (skewed kebab rolls)

Vegetarians and non-vegetarians will be pleased to know that there is a great deal of street food vendors who make this pretty popular Indian snack around Gurgaon. Refined flour is what they use to make this food that looks like a kebab roll, and usually is filled with chicken or lamb, eggs, chutney, coriander, tomatoes, or onions, but variations are plenty, although the taste remains always splendid. Kathi (or kati) is a kebab (originally beef) cooked on a skewer and then wrapped in paratha bread, making it easy to carry around if in a rush.

Bhelpuri (puffed rice in tamarind sauce)

Sweet and salty at the same time, this flavorful snack is made of puffed rice, vegetables, and a tamarind sauce, while other ingredients, such as tomatoes, coriander leaves, and onions, along with spices, are often added to this savory snack. Chopped green chilies can be added on the top, while it is sometimes served with crispy wheat bread. Bhelpuri is consumed in many regions of India and Nepal, and Gurgaon is no exception. You can’t leave the city if you don’t have a bite of it.